Reconstruction of the burial shaft, showing the queen's retinue and the ox drivers (1928)

Height: 4.300 cm
Diameter: 2.200 cm

Excavated by Sir Leonard Wolley

ME 121545

Room 56: Mesopotamia

Lapis lazuli cylinder seal

From Ur, southern Iraq
about 2600 BC

Discovered in the 'Queen's Grave'

This cylinder seal comes from the grave of 'Queen' Pu-abi, one
of the richest in the Royal Cemetery at Ur. The seal is engraved
with a banquet scene. These banquets may have been like later Greek
symposia with important ritual and social meanings. The upper
register depicts figures drinking, possibly beer, from a large jar
through long straws. In the lower register more figures drink but
this time from cups, perhaps wine poured from the spouted vessel
held by one standing servant. There is food on a stand.

The seal was found against the right arm of the body of a woman
who was lying on a bier in a tomb built of brick on stone
foundations. A cuneiform inscription on a similar seal, found with
this one, identifies her as 'The lady Pu-abi', the so-called
'Queen' of Ur. However, Pu-abi (the name used to be read Shub-ad)
could have been a priestess. There were also pins, possibly for
securing her cloak and the seals may have been tied to them. Many
other rich objects were found in the burial pit leading to the
tomb.